Page 217 - Keys To Community College Success

KEY 7.7 Take a musical approach to math.

“HOW MUCH IS THAT X IN THE EQUATION?”
(to the tune of “How Much Is That Doggie in the Window?”)
How much is that x in the equation?
What value will make it be true?
To find the x and get the solution
The numbers attached we undo.
The connector is plus or minus seven, Memory and Studying
To find x we have to undo.
Just write below both sides—make it even.
We undo to find the x value.
If multiply or divide is showing,
The connector tells what has been done.
To undo is where we still are going—
We’re trying to get x alone.

Source: Reprinted with permission. Aaker, Barbara. Mathematics: The Musical. Denver: Crazy Broad Publishing, 1999.
Musical learners might create songs describing math concepts. Barbara Aaker wrote 40
songs for her students at the Community College of Denver to help musical learners retain
difficult concepts. Key 7.7 presents one of her algebra songs.
Strive for accuracy. Complete a step of an algebra problem or biology lab project
inaccurately, and your answer will be incorrect. In class, the consequences of inaccu-
racy are reflected in low grades. In life, the consequences could show in a patient’s
health or in the strength of a bridge. Check over the details of your work and always
try to get it exactly right.

Because many math and science courses require you to memorize sets and lists of
information, one key tool is the mnemonic device. As you will see next, mnemonic
devices create sense-memory hooks that are difficult to forget.

talk risk and reward . . .

Risk asking tough questions to be rewarded with new insights. Use the following ques-
tions to inspire discussion with classmates, either in person or online.
■ Every student experiences the frustration of needing to work hard to remember
something that you think is completely unimportant and irrelevant to your life.
How do you handle this, and what is the result? How should you handle it?
■ What memorization techniques do you resist trying? Is it because they seem too
unrelated to the information, or too goofy? What would you be willing to risk to
see if they work?
CONSIDER THE CASE: Whether you combine work and parenting with school or not,
you have many demands on your time. Are you able to juggle it all? If not, what trips you
up? If you were Cindy’s advisor, how would you suggest she stay on top of her studies?

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